Oaklawn cancels Saturday, Sunday cards

Oaklawn Park has canceled its Saturday and Sunday cards, making for three straight days of lost racing at the hands of a winter storm that has hit Hot Springs, Ark.

Winter weather also caused the cancellation of Saturday's cards at Laurel Park and Charles Town.The season's first Magna 5, which was to begin with Laurel's Dancing Count Stakes, was also called off.

Friday's Oaklawn program was scrapped due to a weather-related power outage in the area. Oaklawn will be open for simulcasting and gaming Saturday and Sunday.

Officials canceled Saturday's card for the safety of riders and horses, as well as patrons who travel a good distance to the races. The Sunday card was called off Saturday afternoon at the request of horsemen, according to officials with Oaklawn.

Friday, a downed power line across the street from Oaklawn led to a power outage in the area. The line fell under the weight of ice from the winter storm system and full power was not restored to the area until the evening. The storm forced the cancellation of training Saturday.

The $50,000 King Cotton was the feature for Saturday, and the race will be brought back in the coming week, said Eric Jackson, Oaklawn's general manager. There are no plans to make up the three lost dates, but the races that were scheduled to be run will be offered again to horsemen in the next few weeks.

* Laurel called off its live nine-race card because of heavy snow.

The $70,000 Dancing Count Stakes for 3-year-olds will not be rescheduled.